Security Check: Toby Daniels is the Founder of CrowdCentric, the company best known for Social Media Week. Born in London, and raised in Northamptonshire, Toby has been living in NYC for 8 years. He enjoys running marathons (in Captain America outfits) and competing in triathlons in his spare time.

He also made our list of the 50 people in NYC’s Startup Scene that you need to know!

What’s your historical London and New York connection? 
Born in Balham, London, but grew up in Northamptonshire. Moved back in 1996 and ran my first digital agency between 2000-2006 before moving to NYC to help launch Mint Digital US.

Describe your experience in New York as a Londoner:
There are few cities that are more alike than New York and London, which makes it somewhat easier to transition, but also there are major differences, which is why moving was so appealing to me. To say one if better than the other would be like choosing your favorite child. I love both cities and have thrived in each environment, both professionally and personally. Ultimately New York is now my home and is where I recently got married, but London is where I was born and somewhere I love to come back to.

How can New York and London better engage with each other?
New York is the gateway to the rest of the US for any company looking to expand their business, and similarly London offers a way for businesses to reach the rest of Europe. As cultural hubs and ecosystems that foster early stage innovation, both London and New York are evolving in incredibly interesting ways. Close ties, deeper collaboration and more cross-pollination would certainly help strengthen their positions as two of the most important economic centers in the world. Personally, I would like to see the the Mayor’s office from each city work more closely together and for each to establish a permanent base in the others’ city. I would also like to see coworking spaces, incubators and accelerator programs offer sabbatical opportunities for startups to spend time in each city.

Favorite NYC secret spot:
 Since moving to the states I’ve become hugely interested in the craft beer movement in the US and the rest of the world. One spot I love to visit with friends is the Blind Tiger in the West Village, which has an unbelievable array of tremendously tasty beers.

Favorite London secret spot: My friend runs a gastro pub called The Crabtree in Fulham. I’ve actually not had the chance to go but I thought I would use this as an opportunity to give him a shameless plug. I hear it’s amazing! Also, Borough Market during lunchtimes in the week is spectacular for food options. I love going there and sitting on the street and gorging on their veritable offerings!

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

New York. Oh, wait. Erm, I guess I would say Montauk, NY in the summer, Northern California in the fall/autumn and Sydney Australia for winter. I love spring in New York, so…

In-flight entertainment: What’s Currently in Your Headphones?

I’m a fanatical listener to podcasts and audio books. Bookwise I’m listening to Start with Why by Simon Sinek (check his TED Talk if you haven’t already) and podcastwise I love WTF with Marc Moran, The Moth, This American Life, NPR’s TED Radio Hour and WNYC’s Radio Lab. I love audiobooks and podcast, more than reading and watching films on planes because I can take them anywhere and listen all the time. Feels more productive to me and a great way to shut out the airport chaos!

From the 3460 Miles newsletter: connecting NEW YORK CITY + LONDON